” Lucys ability to zip many targets suggests that we will not only get the very first up-close take a look at this undiscovered population, however we will likewise have the ability to study why these asteroids appear so various,” stated SwRIs Cathy Olkin, deputy principal private investigator of the objective. “The objective will offer an exceptional look into the development of our planetary system, helping us understand the evolution of the planetary system as a whole.”
Following pandemic protocols, Lucy group members have actually spent nearly 2 months at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida preparing the spacecraft for flight. Engineers have checked the spacecrafts mechanical, electrical and thermal systems, and they have actually practiced carrying out the launch series from the mission operations centers at Kennedy and Lockheed Martin Space in Littleton, Colorado.
” Launching a spacecraft is practically like sending a kid off to college– youve done what you can to get them prepared for that next huge step on their own,” Levison said. “Lucy is all set to fly.”
Lucys first launch effort is set up for 5:34 a.m. EDT on October 16. That day, the group will be “contacted us to stations” at 1 a.m. to monitor the spacecraft and run through the complete launch countdown treatments. If weather or any other issues scrub launch that day, the group will have extra launch opportunities every early morning over the next number of weeks.
The Lucy mission is led by SwRIs Dr. Hal Levison, Lucy primary private investigator, and Dr. Cathy Olkin, deputy principal detective. Credit: SwRI
SwRI is the principal investigator institution for Lucy. NASA Goddard provides total objective management, systems engineering, and safety and objective assurance. Lucy is the 13th objective in NASAs Discovery Program.
Lucy will check out the Jupiter Trojan asteroids– thought to be “fossils of world formation.” Credit: NASAs Goddard Space Flight
SwRIs Levison, Olkin lead the objective to Jupiters Trojan asteroids.
NASAs Lucy spacecraft is encapsulated in a protective fairing atop an Atlas V rocket, awaiting its 23-day launch window to open on October 16. All is go for the Southwest Research Institute-led mission to begin, as the spacecraft prepares to launch on a 12-year journey of almost 4 billion miles to visit a record-breaking 8 asteroids– one main belt asteroid and seven Jupiter Trojan asteroids.
The SwRI-led Lucy objective will survey eight asteroids in 12 years with one spacecraft, exceeding in its legendary journey to Jupiters Trojan asteroids. These diverse, never-before-visited “fossils” left over from the formation of the planetary system will reveal much about the origins of the planetary system. Credit: NASA
” The Trojan asteroids are leftovers from the early days of our planetary system, successfully fossils of the world formation process,” stated SwRIs Harold Levison, the principal investigator of the objective. “They hold essential clues to understanding the history of our solar system. Lucy, like the human ancestor fossil for which it is called, will revolutionize the understanding of our origins.”
The Lucy spacecraft is tucked into the launch vehicle fairing, which closed around it like a clamshell in preparation for liftoff. The SwRI-led Lucy objective will investigate 8 asteroids over 12 years, as the spacecraft takes a trip 4 billion miles to the Trojan asteroids.
The Lucy mission is the very first area mission to explore this diverse population of small bodies known as the Jupiter Trojan asteroids. These little bodies are trapped in stable orbits shown the planetary systems largest planet, forming 2 “swarms” that route and lead Jupiter in its path around the Sun.
The SwRI-led Lucy mission will survey eight asteroids in 12 years with one spacecraft, breaking records in its legendary journey to Jupiters Trojan asteroids. The Lucy spacecraft is tucked into the launch vehicle fairing, which closed around it like a clamshell in preparation for liftoff. The SwRI-led Lucy objective will investigate 8 asteroids over 12 years, as the spacecraft takes a trip 4 billion miles to the Trojan asteroids. Lucys first launch effort is set up for 5:34 a.m. EDT on October 16. Lucy is the 13th objective in NASAs Discovery Program.